Power storage device

Abstract

To provide a power storage device capable of sufficiently securing an exhaust path of a gas exhausted from a power storage module while improving a vibration proof of an upper case.SOLUTION: A power storage device 4 comprises: a plurality of power storage modules 20 arranged in a first direction; a housing case including an upper case 11; and a plurality of support members 40. On one side of the upper case 11 in the first direction, an exhaust valve is provided, and the upper case 11 includes: a one side top part 111 positioned to one side in a second direction DR2; the other side top part 112 positioned to the other side; and a center side top part 113 positioned at a center part. The center side top part 113 is projected to an upper side from the one side top part 111 and the other side top part 112. The plurality of support members 40 includes: a first support member 41 supporting the one side top part 111 and the other side top part 112; and a second support member 42 supporting the center side top part 113.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electricity storage device, and more particularly to an electricity storage device mounted on a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] As a conventional electricity storage device, JP 2020-113528 A (Patent Document 1) discloses a configuration including a support member that extends upward from a rigid body provided in a lower case and supports an upper case from the back surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-113528 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the electricity storage device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the support member is provided so as to support the center of the upper case. Therefore, there is room for improvement of the support member in order to improve the vibration isolation of the upper case against the vibration of the vehicle. There is also room for improvement in the configuration for easily exhausting gas discharged from the electricity storage module accommodated in the accommodation case to the outside of the accommodation case.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an energy storage device that can improve the vibration-proofing properties of the upper case while sufficiently securing an exhaust path for gas discharged from the energy storage module. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The power storage device according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of power storage modules arranged in a first direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, an upper case, a storage case that stores the plurality of power storage modules, and a plurality of support members that are arranged in at least one of the gaps between the power storage modules adjacent to each other in the first direction and support the upper case. An exhaust valve configured to be able to exhaust gas from the storage case is provided on one side of the upper case in the first direction. The upper case includes a one-side top plate portion located on one side of a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, an other-side top plate portion located on the other side of the second direction, and a center-side top plate portion located in the center of the second direction. The one-side top plate portion, the other-side top plate portion, and the center-side top plate portion extend along the first direction. The center-side top plate portion protrudes upward from the one-side top plate portion and the other-side top plate portion. The plurality of support members include a plurality of first support members supporting the one-side top panel portion and the other-side top panel portion, and one or more second support members supporting the central top panel portion.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the one-side top plate portion and the other-side top plate portion of the upper case can be supported by the multiple first support members, and the central-side top plate portion of the upper case can be supported by one or more second support members. Therefore, the upper case can be supported more firmly, and the vibration-proofing property of the upper case can be improved. Furthermore, since the central-side top plate portion protrudes upward from the one-side top plate portion and the other-side top plate portion, the gap between the central-side top plate portion and the power storage module is wider than the gap between the one-side top plate portion and the other-side top plate portion and the power storage module. Therefore, even if gas is discharged from the power storage module, an exhaust path through which the gas can move can be sufficiently secured. In addition, since the multiple first support members and one or more second support members are arranged apart from each other, gas can move between them, and this also ensures a sufficient exhaust path for the gas.

[0008] In the power storage device according to the present disclosure, each of the one-side top plate portion and the other-side top plate portion may have a first accommodating protrusion that protrudes upward so that an upper end portion of the first support member fits into it. The central top plate portion may have one or more second accommodating protrusions that protrude upward so that an upper end portion of the one or more second support members fits into it.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the upper end portion of the first support member is accommodated in the first accommodating protrusion, and the upper end portion of the one or more second support members is accommodated in the one or more second accommodating protrusions, thereby making it possible to suppress movement of the first support members and the one or more second support members, and further improving the vibration-proofing properties of the upper case. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an electricity storage device that can improve the vibration-proofing properties of the upper case while ensuring a sufficient exhaust path for gas discharged from the electricity storage module. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a power storage device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an electricity storage device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 3] 2 is a plan view showing the inside of the power storage device according to the embodiment; FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a state in which gas moves inside a storage case when gas is discharged from a power storage module in a power storage device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, the same or common parts are denoted by the same reference characters in the drawings, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a power storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to Fig. 1, a vehicle 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0014] The vehicle 1 is a hybrid vehicle capable of running using at least one of the power of a motor and an engine, or an electric vehicle that runs on driving force obtained from electric energy. The vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body 2, a drive device 3, an electricity storage device 4, front wheels 5, and rear wheels 6. The vehicle body 2 includes a floor panel 9. The floor panel 9 forms the bottom surface of the vehicle body 2. The electricity storage device 4 is provided, for example, on the lower surface of the floor panel 9. Note that the electricity storage device 4 may be disposed between the floor panel 9 and a seat.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a power storage device according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the inside of the power storage device according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV shown in Fig. 2. A power storage device 4 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 4.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 2, the electricity storage device 4 includes a storage case 10. The storage case 10 is a case body whose length direction is a first direction DR1 and whose width direction is a second direction DR2 perpendicular to the first direction DR1. The electricity storage device 4 is mounted on the vehicle 1, for example, such that the first direction DR1 is parallel to the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1 and the second direction DR2 is parallel to the width direction of the vehicle 1. The height direction of the storage case 10 is perpendicular to the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2, and is parallel to the up-down direction.

[0017] The housing case 10 includes an upper case 11 and a lower case 12. The lower case 12 has a box shape that opens upward. The lower case 12 is formed of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy. The lower case 12 is fixed to the floor panel 9 by a fixing member such as a bracket.

[0018] Upper case 11 closes the opening of lower case 12. Upper case 11 may be made of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy, or may be made of resin. When upper case 11 is made of resin, the weight of storage case 10 can be reduced.

[0019] An exhaust valve 15 is provided on one side of the upper case 11 in the first direction DR1. The exhaust valve 15 is configured to open when the pressure inside the housing case 10 exceeds a predetermined pressure, and to exhaust gas inside the housing case 10 to the outside of the housing case 10.

[0020] 3 and 4, the power storage device 4 includes a plurality of power storage modules 20, a plurality of cross members 30, a plurality of support members 40, and electronic devices 50. Note that Fig. 3 shows a state in which the upper case 11 is removed in the power storage device 4, and for the sake of convenience, the position of the exhaust valve 15 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0021] The multiple power storage modules 20, the multiple cross members 30, the multiple support members 40, and the electronic device 50 are arranged within the storage case 10.

[0022] The lower case 12 includes a pair of side walls 121, 122 facing each other in the second direction DR2, and a first wall 123 and a second wall 124 facing each other in the first direction DR1.

[0023] The multiple power storage modules 20 are arranged side by side at intervals in the first direction DR1. Each of the multiple power storage modules 20 includes multiple power storage cells 21. The power storage module 20 is configured by arranging the multiple power storage cells 21 in a column along the second direction DR2. Note that the power storage module 20 may be configured by arranging the multiple power storage cells 21 in a matrix with the first direction DR1 as the row direction and the second direction DR2 as the column direction.

[0024] The power storage cell 21 is, for example, a secondary battery such as a nickel-metal hydride battery or a lithium-ion battery. The power storage cell 21 has, for example, a rectangular shape. The secondary battery may use a liquid electrolyte or a solid electrolyte.

[0025] A pressure release valve is provided on the upper surface of the storage cell 21. The pressure release valve is configured to open when the pressure inside the housing of the storage cell 21 reaches or exceeds a predetermined value. When the pressure release valve opens, gas inside the housing is discharged to the outside of the housing.

[0026] The multiple cross members 30 are arranged at intervals in the first direction DR1. The multiple cross members 30 also function as partition members that partition the area in which the above-mentioned power storage modules 20 are arranged. The multiple cross members 30 include those arranged between the power storage modules 20 adjacent to each other in the first direction DR1, those located on one side of the power storage module 20 located on the furthest side in the first direction DR1 in the first direction DR1, and those located on the other side of the first direction DR1 with respect to the power storage module 20 located on the furthest side in the first direction DR1.

[0027] The cross member 30 is provided in a substantially linear shape. The cross member 30 extends along the second direction DR2. The cross member 30 has one end and the other end in the second direction DR2. One end of the cross member 30 is connected to one of the pair of side wall portions 121, 122. The other end of the cross member 30 is connected to the other of the side wall portions 121, 122. By providing the cross member 30 in this manner, the rigidity of the storage case 10 can be increased.

[0028] The multiple support members 40 are disposed in at least one of the gaps G1 between the power storage modules 20 adjacent to each other in the first direction DR1. The multiple support members 40 support the upper case 11. The upper ends of the multiple support members 40 abut against the upper case 11. The lower ends of the multiple support members 40 are fixed to the cross member 30. It should be noted that the cross member 30 may be omitted, in which case the lower ends of the multiple support members 40 may be fixed to the bottom wall portion 125 of the lower case 12.

[0029] The plurality of support members 40 may be made of a metal member or a resin member.

[0030] The multiple support members 40 include a one-side support member group 45 and an other-side support member group 46. The one-side support member group 45 is located on one side of the other-side support member group 46 in the first direction DR1. In a plan view, the one-side support member group 45 and the other-side support member group 46 are located on the other side of the first direction DR1 of the exhaust valve 15. In a plan view, the one-side support member group 45 is located between the exhaust valve 15 and the other-side support member group 46 in the first direction DR1.

[0031] Each of the one-side support member group 45 and the other-side support member group 46 includes a plurality of first support members 41 and a plurality of second support members 42. In each of the one-side support member group 45 and the other-side support member group 46, the plurality of first support members 41 and the plurality of second support members 42 are arranged side by side at intervals in the second direction DR2. The height of the plurality of second support members 42 is greater than the height of the plurality of first support members 41.

[0032] The second support members 42 are arranged at intervals in the second direction DR2 in the center of the second direction DR2. The first support members 41 are arranged in the second direction DR2 such that the second support members 42 are located between them.

[0033] In the embodiment, a case where the number of first support members 41 is two and the number of second support members 42 is two is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as gas discharged from the power storage cells 21 can move along the first direction toward the exhaust valve 15 as described below, the numbers of the first support members 41 and the second support members 42 can be set appropriately. The number of first support members 41 may be two or more, and the number of second support members 42 may be one or more.

[0034] The electronic device 50 is disposed on the first wall portion 123 side. The electronic device 50 is electrically connected to each of the multiple power storage modules 20 by a wire harness (not shown). The electronic device 50 is electrically connected to an inverter unit provided in the vehicle 1 by a cable or the like drawn out from the accommodation case 10 to the outside. The electronic device 50 is, for example, a junction box. When viewed from above, the electronic device 50 is located on one side of the exhaust valve 15 in the first direction DR1.

[0035] 4, the upper case 11 has a generally box-like shape that opens downward. The upper case 11 has a top plate portion 115, a peripheral wall portion 116, and a flange portion 117. The top plate portion 115 includes a one-side portion (one-side top plate portion) 111 located on one side in the second direction DR2, an other-side portion (other-side top plate portion) 112 located on the other side in the second direction DR2, and a central portion (central top plate portion) 113 located in the center of the second direction DR2.

[0036] The one side portion 111, the other side portion 112, and the central portion 113 extend along a first direction DR1. The central portion 113 protrudes upward further than the one side portion 111 and the other side portion 112. The above-mentioned exhaust valve 15 is provided on one side of the central portion 113 in the first direction DR1. The peripheral wall portion 116 is provided so as to extend downward from the periphery of the top plate portion 115. The flange portion 117 is provided so as to be bent outward from the lower end side of the peripheral wall portion 116.

[0037] The lower case 12 has a bottom wall portion 125, a peripheral wall portion 126, and a flange portion 127. The bottom wall portion 125 faces the top plate portion 115 in the up-down direction (height direction). The peripheral wall portion 126 is provided so as to extend upward from the periphery of the bottom wall portion 125. The peripheral wall portion 126 is composed of the pair of side walls 121, 122, the first wall portion 123, and the second wall portion 124 described above. The flange portion 127 is provided so as to be bent outward from the upper end side of the peripheral wall portion 126.

[0038] With the lower surface of flange portion 117 and the upper surface of flange portion 127 aligned, flange portion 117 and flange portion 127 are fastened together by a plurality of fastening members, thereby fixing upper case 11 and lower case 12 together.

[0039] Here, the multiple first support members 41 support one side portion 111 and the other side portion 112 of the top plate portion 115. The multiple second support members 42 support the center portion 113 of the top plate portion 115. Therefore, the upper case 11 can be supported more firmly, and the vibration resistance of the upper case 11 can be improved.

[0040] Furthermore, the one-side portion 111 and the other-side portion 112 are each provided with first accommodating protrusions 111P, 112P that protrude upward so that the upper end portion 41a of the first support member 41 fits therein. The multiple first accommodating protrusions 111P, 112P are provided at positions corresponding to the multiple first support members 41. The central portion 113 is provided with multiple second accommodating protrusions 113P that protrude upward so that the upper end portions 42a of the multiple second support members 42 fit therein. The second accommodating protrusions 113P are provided at positions corresponding to the second support members 42. As described above, when the number of second support members 42 is one, one second accommodating protrusion 113 is provided.

[0041] The upper end portion 41a is accommodated in the first accommodating protrusions 111P and 112P, and the upper end portion 42a is accommodated in the second accommodating protrusion 113P, so that the first support members and the one or more second support members can be prevented from moving. This can further improve the vibration-proofing properties of the upper case 11.

[0042] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing how gas moves inside the housing case when gas is discharged from the electricity storage module in the electricity storage device according to the embodiment. Fig. 5 shows a plan view of the electricity storage device 4 without the upper case 11, but for convenience, the exhaust valve 15 provided in the upper case 11 is shown by a dashed line.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, when gas is discharged from the power storage module 20, the gas moves toward one side in the first direction in which the exhaust valve 15 is provided, as shown by the outline arrow in the figure. At this time, as described above, the upper case 11 is provided with the central portion 113 that protrudes upward from the one side portion 111 and the other side portion 112. As a result, the gap between the central portion 113 and the power storage module 20 is wider than the gap between the one side portion 111 and the other side portion 112 and the power storage module 20. Therefore, even when gas is discharged from the power storage module 20, it is possible to sufficiently secure an exhaust path through which the gas can move. In addition, since the multiple first support members 41 and the one or more second support members 42 are arranged apart from each other, the gas can move between them, and this also makes it possible to sufficiently secure an exhaust path for the gas.

[0044] The first support member 41 and the second support member 42 may have a lattice shape with openings in which a plurality of through holes penetrating in the first direction are arranged in a matrix in the vertical direction and the second direction DR2. In this case, the gas moves through the openings, thereby preventing the movement of the gas from being hindered by the first support member 41 and the second support member 42. This further ensures an exhaust path.

[0045] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 vehicle, 2 vehicle body, 3 drive mechanism, 4 power storage device, 5 front wheels, 6 rear wheels, 9 floor panel, 10 storage case, 11 upper case, 12 lower case, 15 exhaust valve, 20 power storage module, 21 power storage cell, 30 cross member, 40 support member, 41 first support member, 41a upper end, 42a upper end, 42 second support member, 45 one-side support member group, 46 other-side support member group, 50 electronic device, 111 one-side portion, 111P first storage protrusion, 112 other-side portion, 112P first storage protrusion, 113 central portion, 113P second storage protrusion, 115 top plate portion, 116 peripheral wall portion, 117 flange portion, 121, 122 side wall portion, 123 first wall portion, 124 second wall portion, 125 Bottom wall, 126 peripheral wall, 127 flange, G1 gap.

Claims

1. A plurality of power storage modules arranged side by side in a first direction perpendicular to a vertical direction; a housing case including an upper case and housing the plurality of power storage modules; a plurality of support members that are disposed in at least any of the gaps between the power storage modules adjacent to each other in the first direction and support the upper case, an exhaust valve configured to be able to exhaust gas from within the storage case is provided on one side of the upper case in the first direction, the upper case includes a one-side top plate portion located on one side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, an other-side top plate portion located on the other side in the second direction, and a central top plate portion located in a central portion in the second direction, the one-side top plate portion, the other-side top plate portion, and the central top plate portion extend along the first direction, the central top panel portion protrudes upward relative to the one-side top panel portion and the other-side top panel portion, The plurality of support members include a plurality of first support members supporting the one-side top plate portion and the other-side top plate portion, and one or more second support members supporting the central top plate portion.

2. each of the one-side top plate portion and the other-side top plate portion has a first accommodation protrusion that protrudes upward so that an upper end portion of the first support member can be inserted therein; The power storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the central top plate portion has one or more second accommodating protrusions that protrude upward so as to receive upper ends of the one or more second support members.

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